Den Berk Délice enhances transport reliability with Solidus’ solid cardboard trays

“Striking the right balance between quality, performance and sustainability was the deciding factor for us”
Ashwin Dwarka, Production Manager at the Sorting and Packing Warehouse at Den Berk Délice

For fresh tomatoes, packaging is more than just a way of presenting the product. The packaging must protect the tomatoes during transport, ensure an attractive presentation and, at the same time, be easy to handle in production. The strength and stability of the packaging are essential, particularly when products are transported over long distances.

For Den Berk Délice, a Belgian producer and packager of flavourful tomatoes for the retail sector, this was a key reason for reviewing its existing packaging solution. Particularly during long refrigerated journeys, the previous packaging lost its strength over time. Together with Solidus, Den Berk Délice therefore set out to find a solution that could better withstand these conditions.

Situation:
Increasing demands in terms of product protection, presentation and sustainability

Den Berk Délice was founded in 2014 as a collaboration between four leading growers and has grown to become a leading player in the specialist tomato sector for the Belgian and European retail markets. Quality, flavour and product presentation are central to this.

“The key priorities when packing our tomatoes are product quality, food safety, good presentation and efficiency in the packing process,” explains Ashwin Dwarka, Production Manager for the Sorting and Packing Hall at Den Berk Délice. “In addition, we are increasingly focusing on sustainability, material usage and cost-efficiency.”

Furthermore, the sector faces ever-greater challenges. Producers must constantly strike the right balance between product protection, efficiency, cost and sustainability. New regulations, such as the PPWR, are also encouraging companies to critically evaluate their packaging solutions and make them more sustainable.

“In terms of sustainability, the biggest challenge lies in reducing material usage and using materials that are more easily recyclable, without compromising the quality and shelf life of the product.”

In addition to the general sustainability challenges, Den Berk Délice also faced a specific logistical challenge. The existing packaging solution did not provide sufficient stability during longer refrigerated journeys. This increased the risk of damaged packaging and made it more difficult to ensure the products reached the customer in optimal condition.

Task:
Greater stability and security during transport

Den Berk Délice was therefore looking for a packaging solution that offered greater structural strength and stability during long-distance transport. The main objective was to reduce the risk of collapsed or damaged packaging whilst better protecting product quality.

In the search for a new packaging partner, quality, reliability and delivery certainty were key criteria. Flexibility and the ability to respond quickly to production needs also played a role.

Furthermore, it was important that the solution struck a good balance between product performance, quality and sustainability.

Action:
Working with Solidus: from challenge to solution

The partnership between Den Berk Délice and Solidus came about thanks to their proximity within the same industrial estate. This local presence, combined with Solidus’s packaging expertise, formed a strong foundation for further collaboration.

Following an evaluation, Den Berk Délice opted for Solidus’s solid cardboard trays. Today, Solidus supplies a 60 x 40 x 7.5 cm tray which is assembled in-house and is mainly used for export to Scandinavian markets.

“The strength and stability of the trays really stood out. We also rate the quality and finish highly, and the trays meet our production and transport requirements perfectly.”

During the testing and implementation process, Solidus worked closely with Den Berk Délice. “Communication was excellent, and we were able to respond quickly whenever questions arose or adjustments were needed. This enabled us to test and implement the new packaging smoothly.”

The decision to use solid board also aligned with Den Berk Délice’s broader ambition to continue exploring more sustainable packaging solutions, without compromising on quality and protection.

Result:
Greater confidence in export operations and a stronger product presentation

‘Since making the switch, we’ve noticed, above all, that the packaging is more robust and stable during transport,’ says Dwarka. ‘The trays retain their shape better, which reduces the risk of damage and collapsed packaging.’

This is particularly relevant for the long export journeys to Scandinavia, explains Dwarka: “We’ve noticed an improvement in the strength and stability of the packaging, especially during the long journey to Scandinavia. The trays are better able to withstand the longer transport distances and refrigerated conditions. The stackability and protection of the tomatoes have also improved, which further reduces the risk of transport damage. As a result, we have greater confidence in the packaging during long export journeys.”

In addition to its transport performance, the sturdy tray ensures a neat and consistent presentation of the tomatoes. “The trays retain their shape better during transport, meaning the product is presented in an attractive and well-kept manner upon arrival. This contributes to a professional image for our customers and consumers.”

For Den Berk Délice, this means a combination of reliability, product protection and presentation. At the same time, the use of solid cardboard fits in with the ambition to make packaging solutions increasingly sustainable.

Conclusion

The partnership between Den Berk Délice and Solidus demonstrates that reliable product protection, suitability for export and sustainability can go hand in hand. Thanks to Solidus’s solid cardboard trays, Den Berk Délice now has a packaging solution that withstands long-distance refrigerated transport,

ensures an attractive product presentation and meets the expectations of both retailers and consumers.

The combination of technical performance, reliable delivery and a solid cardboard material solution provides Den Berk Délice with packaging that meets both current production and transport requirements and its ambitions for more sustainable packaging. “For us, Solidus is a partner with whom we are keen to continue working. We find the collaboration to be professional, reliable and flexible. They actively contribute ideas to address our specific needs and challenges.”

Get in touch

Are you looking for a packaging solution that combines strength, reliable transport performance and a more sustainable choice of materials?

Our packaging experts will be happy to help you find the right solution for fresh produce. From product protection and transport stability to production requirements: we’ll work with you to develop packaging that meets your specific needs.

Curious about the possibilities? Get in touch with our team

Benefits of Solidus’ solid cardboard trays for fresh tomatoes